Making a novena (from the Latin for nine) has a long tradition in the Church. Typically, it means nine successive days of prayer. Each year, on the nine days before the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (7-15 July) Carmelites offer their prayers for those in need.
The prayer for each day of the Novena is on our social media sites Facebook, Twitter, & Tumblr. The prayers are also available by clicking the 'Read more' link below.
You are warmly welcome to join us for our annual Mothers' Mass at 10.30am on 17 July at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, cnr Richardson & Wright Streets, Middle Park, Victoria 3206.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (living or deceased) you would like us to remember during the Mass.
You can make a donation to the work of the Carmelites here.
We are encouraged in our prayer by Fr Fernando (Carmelite Prior General) who says:
“At this time of profound economic crisis, of unceasing violence, of flagrant inequalities, I believe that we too, as people devoted to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, are called to bring freedom to those who suffer the purgatories of our times - hunger, unemployment, war, terrorism, drugs, depression, loneliness, poor education, exploitation and abuse. Our devotion to Mary makes us more sensitive to the most forgotten of our brothers and sisters. It makes us more human, more compassionate, more understanding and more in solidarity with others. Compassion is perhaps the greatest test of the authenticity of our devotion to Mary.”
As part of our Carmelite Family, we invite you to pray with us using the intentions below.
7 July - Peace in our world
Peace in our world depends on the depth of the desire for peace in every human heart.
Intentions
A just and fair economic and political system
Harmony and understanding among all peoples
Respect for different cultures and religious beliefs
Mary, because you desired reconciliation and peace
between humanity and God, you were able, through
grace and the Holy Spirit, to bring the Lord of Peace
into our world. Teach us to be people of true peace.
8 July - Freedom from war, slavery and oppression
When the human heart is enslaved by its own selfishness it is not capable of working towards any kind of freedom.
Intentions
A warm, heartfelt and embracing welcome for refugees
Freedom from addiction, anxiety and fear
Mary, by giving your will to God you allowed Him to
work freely in you and through you. Teach us what
true freedom is.
9 July - All families
The capacity to love and be loved creates families.
Intentions
Strengthen the bond of love within all families
Encourage forgiveness and peacemaking
Give families the wisdom of not taking each other for granted.
Mary, by allowing God to be born through you,
you have become the Mother of the whole human
race. Teach us to love and support all families
unconditionally.
10 July - Victims of violence and abuse
The innocent victims of violence and abuse hold a special place in the heart of The One Who suffered all for all.
Intentions
Heal the wounds of hearts and minds
Provide courage and confidence to build a new life
Rebuild trust in new relationship and in you
Mary, you watched Jesus your son as He suffered all
the abuse and violence that humans are capable of
and you suffered with Him with every fibre of your
being. Teach our hearts to be sensitive to, and to
suffer with all victims of violence and abuse.
11 July - Young people
Young people are the hope and future of our Church and nation.
Intentions
Be understanding and tolerant of their journey
Reach out to those who feel alone or afraid or estranged from family and home
Mary in your youth you gave yourself completely
to God. Teach us to live our faith in a way that will
attract young people to your Son.
12 July - The Elderly
The wisdom that can only be learnt from experiences of life is found in our elderly.
Intentions
Courage to embrace the challenges of ageing
Respect and honour the wisdom of those who have live a long life
Fulfilment for retired people
Mary, your elderly parents Anne and Joachim
were your first teachers of the ways of God and
His wisdom. Teach us to love, respect and cater
generously for all the elderly, especially those who
have touched our lives with their wisdom.
13 July - Christians everywhere
The Good News of Christ has spread and formed Christians in most nations and cultures.
Intentions
To be the living presence of God in the world
and faithful followers in our chosen vocation
To be active ministers of faith and love
Mary, your motherhood does not set up
boundaries between nations and cultures. Help
us to accept and encourage the worship of your
Son by people of all cultures according to their
customs.
14 July - The sick
Suffering because of sickness is a sorrowful mystery of our human condition.
Intentions
Physical psychological, emotional and spiritual healing
For those who care for and comfort the ill
To feel God's companionship in times of need
Mary, your son Jesus has great compassion for the
sick and has, during His life on earth and right up
until today, healed many, especially through your
intercession. Please continue always to intercede
for all our sick and help us to accept God’s will for
them.
15 July - Our deceased loved ones
To be separated from loved ones is always difficult. When death is the separator only our faith is able to provide hope and healing.
Intentions
Thanksgiving for their lives and times shares
For all who mourn
For eternal life
Mary you suffered greatly when you held the
lifeless body of your Son in your arms, yet you
did not doubt for a moment in His Resurrection.
Intercede with us for all our loved ones who have
died, that they may enjoy forever the promises of the Risen Lord.
16 July - Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
